At long last. Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says its delayed 2024 TNM Super League season awards will be held on March 21, exactly three months and a week after conclusion of the previous season.
The announcement is likely to create relief on the part of the clubs, after the league’s sponsors TNM plc last month announced that the awards would be held during the first week of March.
However, with the month now in its second week, the prize presentation ceremony has not been held.
But Sulom vice-general secretary Donnex Chilonga was quoted by MBC Radio 2FM yesterday as having said the awards are slated for Lilongwe at a venue yet to be announced.
“Once we have finalised the logistics, we will announce further details,” he said.
TNM plc brand and communications manager Limbani Nsapato said he could not comment or confirm as he is away.
Silver Strikers, who emerged champions and are supposed to cart home K100 million as prize money, said they have not yet been officially informed about the event.
The club’s chief executive officer (CEO) Patrick Chimimba said: “I heard from rumours about the event being slated for March 21, but we are yet to get official communication.”
In a separate interview yesterday, Mighty Wanderers CEO Panganeni Ndovi, whose team is set to get K40 million as runners-up said while the announcement of the date partially provides relief, “ideally, such awards should be given within at least 30 days after the league concludes”.
He said: “Clubs have various financial obligations to meet during the off-season, and timely disbursement of these awards would help in covering some of those costs such as player salaries, bonuses, and pre-season preparations.
“Delays in awarding these resources can put unnecessary strain on clubs, who would otherwise use the funds productively during the break.
“We hope that in the future, the process can be expedited to ensure clubs benefit at the right time.”
FCB Nyasa Bullets, who finished third, will get K30 million. There will also be other team and individual prizes.
